Wire welder vs pipe welder

The differences between wire welders and pipe welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a wire welder and a pipe welder. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, which is higher than the $38,882 average annual salary of a wire welder.

The top three skills for a wire welder include MIG, calipers and FCAW. The most important skills for a pipe welder are carbon steel, MIG, and hand tools.

Wire welder vs pipe welder overview

	Wire Welder	Pipe Welder
Yearly salary	$38,882	$46,364
Hourly rate	$18.69	$22.29
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	7,282	7,738
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Wire welder vs pipe welder salary

Wire welders and pipe welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Wire Welder	Pipe Welder
Average salary	$38,882	$46,364
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $33,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	-	North Kingstown, RI
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Forum Energy Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between wire welder and pipe welder education

There are a few differences between a wire welder and a pipe welder in terms of educational background:

	Wire Welder	Pipe Welder
Most common degree	Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Wire welder vs pipe welder demographics

Here are the differences between wire welders' and pipe welders' demographics:

	Wire Welder	Pipe Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 3.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between wire welder and pipe welder duties and responsibilities

Wire welder example responsibilities.

Secure loads of 6"to 12"casing , 4"PVC liner and water on service truck.
Operate MIG welder to produce parts and or products.
Certificate courses in any repute institute in MIG welding are favore.
Skil with cutting torch, over head cranes, and welding machine, grinder, and tape measure
Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
Perform preventive maintenance, electronic robotic operation, pneumatic system operation, and initial quality control.

Pipe welder example responsibilities.

Silver solder, TIG, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW weld mild steel stainless steel aluminum and copper nickel respectively.
Weld carbon and stainless steel pipe in position and roll out machines utilizing GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and SMAW processes.
Skil in all types of welding, including MIG, TIG, stick, aluminum and stainless steel.
Work with TIG and MIG welding systems, as well as forklifts and overhead cranes up to 30 tons.
Work safely under OSHA safety and PPE standards.
Used aluminum GMAW for structural supports and some larger fabrications.

Wire welder vs pipe welder skills

Common wire welder skills

MIG, 51%
Calipers, 14%
FCAW, 13%
Cranes, 10%
Structural Steel, 3%
Assembly Line, 3%

Common pipe welder skills

Carbon Steel, 16%
MIG, 10%
Hand Tools, 8%
TIG, 6%
SMAW, 6%
GTAW, 6%